Martial arts center opens in Roslindale Village

Tuesday

Feb 20, 2018 at 12:22 PMFeb 20, 2018 at 12:22 PM

Victoria Groves-Cardillo

Those who pass through South Street in Roslindale Village may have noticed a new martial arts studio in the old Dandelions Flower Shop. The new YMAA Boston space is already filled with students of all ages practicing kung fu, qigong and tai chi under the instruction of owner Ben Warner and his staff. The studio also holds classes in kickboxing, kettlebells and other fitness training.

YMAA Boston, which stands for the Boston location of Yang's Martial Arts Association, isn’t new to Roslindale; it actually relocated to the South Street spot from a previous location on Basile Street.

“I’d been in Roslindale since 2012, but we were in a spot that no one knew about,” said Warner. “When I spotted the flower shop vacancy I reached out to Roslindale Village Main Streets (RVMS) and put in a proposal with the landlords.”

Buildout took about six weeks and the studio reopened on Jan. 29. Dandelion’s Flower shop had previously held that storefront for 11 years.

Carlos Duarte, of Roslindale, has been a YMAA student since he was a child, when the studio was owned by founder Yang Jwing-Ming and located in Jamaica Plain. Now, he continues his studies under Warner in Roslindale and so do two of his children.

“The physical aspect and the art of it are both big draws, and it’s very effective for self-defense at a time when there’s lots of bullying happening in schools,” said Duarte. ”Ben does a great job of keeping students motivated and he has a great sense of humor… he has been a central figure in my children’s lives.”

Children as young as three-and-a-half years old can take classes at the studio.

The new location includes large windows that makes YMAA Boston much more visible to both foot and vehicle traffic. While it currently draws students from as far away as New Hampshire and Maine, the new studio will hopefully be a bigger draw to those already in its backyard.

“The new location has more parking and its walking distance to so much in Roslindale Village,” Duarte said. “You can see all the people at the traffic light distracted by what’s going on in the studio…it’s going to be great for them.”

Roslindale Village Main Streets was also happy to see YMAA Boston fill the spot. In addition to being an active business owner in the neighborhood, Warner’s students have also offered demonstrations at summer farmer’s markets in Adam’s Park.

“Ben’s already someone who was part of the community and this spot will offer him so much more visibility,” said Alia Hamada Forrest, RVMS executive director. “It’s a win win for a lot of people.”

YMAA Boston is now located at 756 South Street in Roslindale. For more information, visit www.ymaaboston.com or call 617.363.9622.